IPL 7: Seven years, first final

Updated on May 31, 2014 1:50 am

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The stage was set for a perfect play-off clash between the Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The toss was won by M S Dhoni who invited Kings XI Punjab to bat first. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Virender Sehwag went all guns blazing against a hapless Chennai Super Kings bowling attack. He reached his half-century in just 21 balls. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

Kings XI Punjab's most destructive batsman in this IPL season, Glen Maxwell's run-scoring spree had taken a severe beating in recent matches. He started off well against Chennai Super Kings, but was soon dismissed by his nemesis Ravichandran Ashwin for 13. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Before the match, Chennai spinner Ravindchandran Ashwin had said in a press conference that he would be looking to bowl over the wicket against Glen Maxwell in Friday's play-off match. The much hyped battle between Ravichandran Ashwin and Glen Maxwell was ultimately won by the Chennai offie, who dismissed Maxwell for 13 with a top-spinner that straightened up a bit and deceived the Australian batsman. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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David Miller played a handy cameo of 38 and shared a 63-run partnership with Virender Sehwag. He was later run-out by Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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The Wankhede Stadium went abuzz as Virender Sehwag smashed his second century of the Indian Premier League. It was a vintage innings by Sehwag who struck 12 fours and 8 sixes in his 58-ball 122. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Kings XI Punjab skipper George Bailey's poor form continued as he was bowled by Ashish Nehra for 1. A blistering century by Sehwag and a handy 38 from David Miller propelled Kings XI Punjab to a mammoth 226/6 in 20 overs. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Chennai's chase began with a nightmare, as they lost in-form opener Faf du Plessis off the second ball of Mitchell Johnson's first over. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Dwayne Smith also lost his way in the middle, as he was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma for 7. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Chennai's most consistent batsman this season, the 27-year-old Suresh Raina almost stole the win from Kings XI Punjab's mouth with a whirlwind innings of 87 runs from just 25 balls. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Chennai Super Kings' hopes of winning the games crashed with the dismissal of Suresh Raina. Batting exceedingly well on 87, Raina was run-out by an accurate throw from George Bailey. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave his best shot at reaching closer to the chase, but with wickets falling at the other end, he couldn't guide his side to victory. He remained not-out at 42 from 31 balls, but his fighting knock went in vain as Kings XI Punjab won the match by 24 runs and reached the IPL finals for the first time in history. (Source: IPL/BCCI)

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It was a dream-like moment for the Kings XI Punjab, as they defeated five-time finalists Chennai Super Kings by 24 runs to secure their final berth against Kolkata Knight Riders. (Source: IPL/BCCI)